Welcome
His clothes reeked of cigarette fumes.
The foul odor of his breath engulfed me
as he spoke and sat down next to me.
How could a visitor come to church
smelling so bad?
I wanted to move, but I didn’t.
Is that how You felt, Lord,
When I first came into Your presence,
the stench of the world upon me?
When I spoke, did the offensive odor
of my soul make You sick?
Thank You, Lord,
for accepting me as I was—
a smelly newcomer.
And thank You for not moving.